1908 Springfield Race Riot exhibit coming to Lanphier High School November 26 - 30

SPRINGFIELD - A traveling exhibit developed by area high school students that depicts the deadly 1908 Springfield Race Riot will be displayed at Springfield's Lanphier High School from November 26 - 30.

"Summer of Hate: A Modern Perspective on the Springfield Race Riot of 1908" was prepared by participants in the 2007 Summer Scholars Program at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. It was first displayed beginning August 4, 2007 at the Presidential Library. The 14-panel exhibit includes photographs, maps, and historical accounts of the violence in Mr. Lincoln's Hometown that led to the founding of the NAACP.

High school students from Springfield (including Lanphier), Quincy, Jacksonville, New Berlin and Loami researched the 1908 Race Riot using historical material in the Presidential Library. They toured Springfield to pinpoint key riot locations, gathered modern and historical images, created maps, and then worked with Library and Museum staff to produce the exhibit.

Those interested in scheduling the exhibit should call Erin Bishop, Presidential Library and Museum director of education, at (217) 782-8403.

"I am pleased that these students, and the people who view Summer of Hate, will learn a great deal about a terrible but important part of our common history," said Presidential Library and Museum Executive Director Rick Beard. "The Springfield race riot inspired the creation of the NAACP and with it an era of activism on behalf of improved race relations in the United States. This exhibition reminds us both of how far we have come and how far we must yet go to realize Lincoln's vision of a nation ‘with malice toward none [and] charity for all. . . .'"

The Race Riot began August 14, 1908 when a crowd formed outside the Sangamon County Jail in Springfield where two African American men were held for alleged crimes against whites. News that the prisoners had been moved led to rioting. Black-owned businesses and homes were destroyed, at least seven people were killed with many more injured, and despite the arrival of the state militia rioting continued until August 16. A total of 117 people were indicted for riot, arson, larceny and murder. However, only two people were punished for the riot: One person pled guilty to burglary, larceny, riot and arson and was sent to prison; one other participant was found guilty of petty larceny. Jolted to action by the violence in Springfield, social activists founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library has a large collection of newspapers, images, manuscripts, and other reference materials pertaining to the Race Riot, and is planning its own large scale exhibit to open in Summer 2008. For more information on the library and its collections, visit www.alplm.org.